urn:taro:tslac.50005Texas Legislature, Senate:An Inventory of Records of Senator Chet Brooks at the Texas
State Archives,
1966-1990 (bulk 1975-1989) Finding aid by Nancy EnnekingThis EAD finding aid was created in part with funds provided
by the Texas Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board for the Texas
Archival Resources Online project.Texas State Library and Archives CommissionMarch 2001Finding aid encoded by Nancy Enneking in EAD Version 1.0 as
part of the TARO project,
March 2001.Finding aid written
inEnglish.Tue Jul 22 15:38:09 CDT 2003urn:taro:tslac.50005 converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (20030505).
Overview
Texas. Legislature.
Senate. Records of Senator Chet
Brooks1966-1990 (bulk 1975-1989)Records consist of
correspondence, memoranda, reports, minutes, agenda, legislative records,
printed material, press releases, presentation materials, legal documents,
maps, photographs, notes, proclamations, blue line drawings, speeches, and
audio cassettes ranging in date from 1966 to 1990 (bulk 1975-1989) that
document the activities and interests of Texas State Senator Chet Brooks. The
records contain considerable discussion of such issues as redistricting,
nursing homes, child care, appropriations, education, medical care and
research, insurance, and health and safety.91 cubic ft.
Please note that these records are stored at the State Records
Center. Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under
the Public Information Act exceptions, these records must be reviewed by an
archivist before they can be accessed for research. Records requested before
10:00 a.m. will usually be available for review by an archivist by 4:00 p.m.
the same day. Records requested after 10:00 a.m. and before 3:00 p.m will
usually be available for review by an archivist the next day. See the
"Restrictions on Access" statement in this document for further information.
English.
Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under
the Public Information Act exceptions including violations of the privacy of
individuals, these records must be reviewed by an archivist before they can be
accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the
provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 552).
The researcher may request an interview with an archivist or submit a request
by mail, fax, or email including enough description and detail about the
information requested to enable the archivist to accurately identify and locate
the information requested. If our review reveals records covered by exceptions
to the Public Information Act, we are obligated to seek an Open Records Opinion
from the Attorney General before the files can be provided to the researcher.
The Public Information Act allows the Archives ten business days after
receiving the written request to make this determination.

Some restricted materials have already been segregated into Boxes
1999/136-85 thru 90. Transfer sheets have been placed in the original file
locations. The contents of the boxes have not been listed.

Restrictions on Use

Where necessary, records will be redacted or restricted to comply
with the Public Information Act and the Attorney General's decision.

Texas State Representative and Senator Chet Brooks was born on August
18, 1935. He attended San Angelo College, San Jacinto College, received his BA
from the University of Texas in journalism and political science, and then
attended the University of Houston. He worked as a newspaperman for the Houston
Post and as a businessman. Brooks served in the Texas House of Representatives
on behalf of Harris County from 1962 to 1966. In 1967 he began serving in the
Texas Senate, again on behalf of Harris County (though his district eventually
became District 11, parts of Galveston and Harris counties), where he remained
through 1992. During his tenure in the Senate, Brooks served on a variety of
committees, including those of Finance, Education, State Affairs and its
Subcommittee on Nominations, and Special Committees on Nominations,
Administration, and Rules. In addition, he chaired the Committee on Human
Resources/Health and Human Resources/Health and Human Services (from at least
1977 to 1992), vice-chaired the Special Committee on Administration
(1987-1992), and chaired the Special Committee of the Whole on Redistricting
(1991-1992). He also served on the Legislative Budget Board, the Texas
Coordinating Commission for State Health and Welfare Services, the Ad Hoc
Committee on Federal Block Grants, the Joint Committee to Study the Needs of
Autistic Citizens, and was President Pro Tempore of the Senate in 1972.

Scope and Contents of the Records

Records consist of correspondence, memoranda, reports, minutes,
agenda, legislative bills, bill analyses, publications, newsletters, printed
material, fiscal notes, legislative records, clippings, press releases,
testimony, presentation materials, legal memoranda, maps, statements,
photographs, brochures, invitations, drafts, notes, proclamations, blue line
drawings, speeches, and audio cassettes ranging in date from 1966 to 1990 (bulk
1975-1989) that document the activities and interests of Chet Brooks during his
tenure in the Texas Senate. Bill files include legislation on child care,
regulation of various professions (particularly medical), mass-transit, home
equity lending, health care, taxes, public smoking, motor vehicle regulation,
judicial elections, 911 emergency number, nursing homes, health insurance,
blood banks, infectious waste, peer review liability, child health, radioactive
waste disposal sites, and education. Correspondence passed between Senator
Brooks, various state and local officials, constituents, and the general
public. Much of the correspondence regards issues and topics addressed by or
falling under the purview of Brooks as the Chair of the Senate Committee on
Human Resources; such subjects include redistricting, nursing homes, child
support, seat-belts, appropriations, education, medical care and research,
insurance, and health and safety. Committee files document Senator Brooks' work
as: chair of the Senate Joint Committee on Educational Services to the Deaf in
1978 (to promote the economical delivery of educational services to the deaf
provided by the state governmental educational institutions by means of a
comprehensive review of governmental structure); chair of the Senate Ad-Hoc
Committee on Standardized Medical Procedures in 1979 (established to determine
and standardize the services offered by various medical personnel); and 1988
chair of the Texas Task Force on Waste Management Policy (focusing on hazardous
wastes). Inmate correspondence contains letters written by inmates requesting
recommendations for parole hearings, entrance into rehabilitation
facilities/halfway houses, and for assistance in obtaining or changing medical
care, dentures, better food, disciplinary charges, education, work assignments,
and resolving other assorted complaints. Senator Brooks and his staff responded
to each of these letters, though they were unable to help some individuals and
found it inappropriate to interfere in other cases. General office files, a few
subject files, and assorted correspondence comprise the final series.

To prepare this inventory, the described materials were cursorily
reviewed to delineate series, to confirm the accuracy of contents lists, to
provide an estimate of dates covered, and to determine record types.

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information
Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the
Office of Senator Brooks on October 4, 1982 and by the Secretary of the Senate
on April 26, 1999.

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information
Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the
Office of the Secretary of the Senate on April 26, 1999.

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall
under the Public Information Act exceptions including violations of the privacy
of individuals, these records must be reviewed by an archivist before they can
be accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the
provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 552).
The researcher may request an interview with an archivist or submit a request
by mail, fax, or email including enough description and detail about the
information requested to enable the archivist to accurately identify and locate
the information requested. If our review reveals records covered by exceptions
to the Public Information Act, we are obligated to seek an Open Records Opinion
from the Attorney General before the files can be provided to the researcher.
The Public Information Act allows the Archives ten business days after
receiving the written request to make this determination.

Restrictions on Use

Where necessary, records will be redacted or restricted to
comply with the Public Information Act and the Attorney General's decision.

Records consist of correspondence, memoranda, reports, minutes,
agenda, brochures, fiscal notes, state records transmittal forms, clippings,
press releases, statements, publications, printed materials, bill copies,
newsletters, bill analyses, amendments, statistics, summary of proceedings,
legal memoranda, maps, drafts, notes, proclamations, blue line drawings, and
photographs that comprise the correspondence files of Texas State Senator Chet
Brooks, 1972-1990. Letters passed between Senator Brooks, various state and
local officials, constituents, and the general public. Subjects of
correspondence range from simple acknowledgement letters, thanks, and
legislation, to constituent casework. Much of the correspondence regards issues
and topics addressed by or falling under the purview of Brooks as the Chair of
the Senate Committee on Human Resources; such subjects include redistricting,
nursing homes, child support, seat-belts, appropriations, education, medical
care and research, insurance, and health and safety.

Arrangement

Records have been subdivided into agency correspondence and
subject correspondence. A few assorted office files were intermixed in the
series and have been left as they were found. Agency correspondence is grouped
chronologically and then arranged alphabetically within each year. See the
Office files for related materials and
correspondence.

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information
Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the
Secretary of the Senate on April 26, 1999.

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall
under the Public Information Act exceptions including violations of the privacy
of individuals, these records must be reviewed by an archivist before they can
be accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the
provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 552).
The researcher may request an interview with an archivist or submit a request
by mail, fax, or email including enough description and detail about the
information requested to enable the archivist to accurately identify and locate
the information requested. If our review reveals records covered by exceptions
to the Public Information Act, we are obligated to seek an Open Records Opinion
from the Attorney General before the files can be provided to the researcher.
The Public Information Act allows the Archives ten business days after
receiving the written request to make this determination.

Restrictions on Use

Where necessary, records will be redacted or restricted to
comply with the Public Information Act and the Attorney General's decision.

Records consist of agenda, minutes, meeting summaries, drafts,
correspondence, memoranda, testimony, presentation materials, brochures,
reports, printed material, clippings, notes, and audio cassettes that document
Texas State Senator Brooks' chairmanship of and/or service on various
legislative committees from 1978 to 1980 and 1984 to 1989. Senator Brooks
chaired the Senate Joint Committee on Educational Services to the Deaf in 1978,
the committee was established by House Bill 1880 (65th Legislature, Regular
Session, 1977) to promote the economical delivery of educational services to
the deaf provided by the state governmental educational institutions by means
of a comprehensive review of governmental structure: He also chaired the Senate
Ad-Hoc Committee on Standardized Medical Procedures in 1979 which was
established to determine and standardize the services offered by various
medical personnel. In 1988, Brooks chaired the Texas Task Force on Waste
Management Policy, focusing on hazardous wastes.

Arrangement

Files are listed in chronological order by committee, with a few
assorted files at the end.

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information
Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the
Office of Senator Brooks on October 4, 1982 and by the Secretary of the Senate
on April 26, 1999.

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall
under the Public Information Act exceptions including violations of the privacy
of individuals, these records must be reviewed by an archivist before they can
be accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the
provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 552).
The researcher may request an interview with an archivist or submit a request
by mail, fax, or email including enough description and detail about the
information requested to enable the archivist to accurately identify and locate
the information requested. If our review reveals records covered by exceptions
to the Public Information Act, we are obligated to seek an Open Records Opinion
from the Attorney General before the files can be provided to the researcher.
The Public Information Act allows the Archives ten business days after
receiving the written request to make this determination.

Restrictions on Use

Where necessary, records will be redacted or restricted to
comply with the Public Information Act and the Attorney General's decision.

Records consist of correspondence between Texas prison inmates and
Texas State Senator Chet Brooks, 1966-1985. Letters were written by inmates
requesting recommendations for parole hearings and entrance into rehabilitation
facilities/halfway houses and for assistance in obtaining or changing medical
care, dentures, better food, disciplinary charges, education, work assignments,
and resolving other assorted complaints. Senator Brooks and his staff responded
to each of these letters, though they were unable to help some individuals and
found it inappropriate to interfere in other cases.

Arrangement

Letters are arranged in roughly chronological order and then in
several alphabetic runs, according to the name of the inmate (one run is
reversed). Some files bear the inmate's numbers.

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information
Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the
Secretary of the Senate on April 26, 1999.

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall
under the Public Information Act exceptions including violations of the privacy
of individuals, these records must be reviewed by an archivist before they can
be accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the
provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 552).
The researcher may request an interview with an archivist or submit a request
by mail, fax, or email including enough description and detail about the
information requested to enable the archivist to accurately identify and locate
the information requested. If our review reveals records covered by exceptions
to the Public Information Act, we are obligated to seek an Open Records Opinion
from the Attorney General before the files can be provided to the researcher.
The Public Information Act allows the Archives ten business days after
receiving the written request to make this determination.

Restrictions on Use

Where necessary, records will be redacted or restricted to
comply with the Public Information Act and the Attorney General's decision.

Records comprise correspondence, minutes, agenda, personal data
sheets, financial statements, clippings, photographs, memoranda, printed
material, invitations, drafts, and speeches that range in date from 1967 to
1990 (bulk 1980-1989) and document the management and organization of Texas
State Senator Brooks' office. The records are general office files, a few
subject files, and assorted correspondence maintained by Senator Brooks and his
staff. The subject files found in this series contain an assortment of files of
subjects of predominantly local/district concern and files regarding Brooks'
speeches, newsletters, and Senate staff. The assorted office files contain
general, thanks, sympathy, congratulations, invitation, and local/district
correspondence as well a general legislative and staff information. Some files
have been numbered according to a system used by Senator Brooks' staff; where
such numbers appear, they have been noted in the lists of box contents.

Arrangement

The set of subject files, listed first below, are organized
alphabetically and contain a variety of printed materials, correspondence,
minutes, and clippings. The assorted files thereafter are listed in roughly
chronological order.

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information
Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the
Secretary of the Senate on April 26, 1999.

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall
under the Public Information Act exceptions including violations of the privacy
of individuals, these records must be reviewed by an archivist before they can
be accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the
provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 552).
The researcher may request an interview with an archivist or submit a request
by mail, fax, or email including enough description and detail about the
information requested to enable the archivist to accurately identify and locate
the information requested. If our review reveals records covered by exceptions
to the Public Information Act, we are obligated to seek an Open Records Opinion
from the Attorney General before the files can be provided to the researcher.
The Public Information Act allows the Archives ten business days after
receiving the written request to make this determination.

Restrictions on Use

Where necessary, records will be redacted or restricted to
comply with the Public Information Act and the Attorney General's decision.